Camdeboo National Park Declares War on Invasive Plants
Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) covers about 60 hectares of the upper reaches of the Nqweba Dam in the Game Viewing Area of the Camdeboo National Park.
Now, war has been declared on these invasive alien plants through the Working for Water programme, with the appointment of a team of twelve local people.
Invasive alien plants such as tamarisk have a negative impact on the environment by reducing the amount of available water within the park and surrounding areas. Exotic plants generally require far more water than endemic species. When infestations of alien plants intensify, local communities and agricultural operations surrounding the park are negatively affected as the reduction of water is amplified.
Exotics out-compete many of the indigenous species through strategies such as producing copious amounts of seed, rapidly germinating seeds, aggressive root systems and chemically changing the soil composition. This affects biodiversity, the very thing national parks seek to conserve.
Alien plants also change the frequency of fires, increase erosion potential along river banks and alter natural ecological processes.
Simply chopping down the dense stands of tamarisk will spell disaster for the eradication efforts as tamarisk resprouts profusely when cut or burnt.
Regrowth from cut stumps cannot easily be controlled due to the very small, fragmented nature of tamarisk leaves. Therefore, herbicide must be applied on stumps when they are cut to effectively control the plant.
Research has shown that a herbicide called Chopper is most effective on the cut stumps of tamarisk.
Although there may be some concern about the use of herbicide near a water source, Chopper poses no serious risk to humans, fish or animals as it is used in its diluted form. When correctly applied according to its specifications, Chopper poses no threat in irrigation or drinking water.
The environmental risk of using herbicides is further reduced through comprehensive training and the implementation of safe working procedures in the field. No herbicide mixing is allowed in the field, reducing the risk of accidental spills. All eradication work is closely monitored, supervised and audited.
With the aid of safe working methods and wisely-used herbicide, the Working for Water team will be able to control invasive tamarisk, conserving both water and biodiversity.
Enquiries: Peter Burdett, Park Manager, Camdeboo National Park
Tel: 049 8923453
